On April 19, local time, Jia Qinglin, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), met with Brunei's Speaker of the Parliament Awang Isa at Bandar Seri Begawan.

Jia said China and Brunei are traditional friendly neighbors and the friendship between both peoples has a long history. Since the establishment of diplomatic ties 21 years ago, bilateral relations have maintained healthy and stable development. In particular, during President Hu Jintao's visit to Brunei in 2005, both sides reached broad consensus on strengthening bilateral relations, pushing the ties to enter a new stage of development. Trade between China and Brunei reached 1.3 billion U.S. dollars last year, exceeding the 1 billion U.S. dollars goal set by the two countries. The cultural exchanges between both sides are also deepening. A series of celebrations held last year to mark the 20th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties and the China-Brunei Friendship Year set off a new upsurge in people-to-people friendship.

Jia said the effort of the two countries to strengthen cooperation is in the fundamental interests of the two peoples and is conducive to regional peace, stability and prosperity. China attached importance to developing ties with Brunei and cherished friendship and cooperation with Brunei, he said. China was ready to implement the consensus reached by top leaders of the two countries to push forward bilateral ties, Jia said.

Jia stressed that China is still a developing country though it has made great progress since it started the reform and opening-up drive in the late 1970s. "We must continue to focus on pursuing development," he said. A steadily developing and prosperous China with social harmony will bring no threat but opportunities to the world, especially countries in the region. China will continue to follow the road of peaceful development and adhere to a policy of building good-neighborly relations and partnerships with its neighbors and securing an amicable, tranquil and prosperous neighborhood while seeking common development and prosperity with other Asian countries so as to become their good neighbor, friend and partner, he said.

Isa said Jia's visit showcased the importance of the China-Brunei relationship and will inject new vitality into it. Although both sides established diplomatic ties only 21 years ago, the traditional friendship between both peoples enjoys a history of more than one thousand years. Brunei attached great importance to relations with China and appreciated China's policy of peace and friendship that all nations, big or small, are equal. Describing the increasingly active cooperation in all fields, especially cultural and people-to-people exchanges between the two countries as "encouraging", Isa said Brunei spoke highly of the opportunities China's development brought to countries in and outside the region. Brunei is willing to strengthen exchanges and cooperation with China so as to push forward their relations, he added.

Vice-Chairman and Secretary-General of the National Committee of the CPPCC Qian Yunlu, Chinese Ambassador to Brunei Zheng Xianglin and other officials attended the above meeting.